A new four-year agreement to raise wages and expand benefits was ratified by Teamsters Local 577 members at Tyson Foods of Amarillo, July 2, according to a news release. The plant is one of the largest beef processors in the United States.
“If you work in one of the most dangerous industries in the nation, you should be able to support your family and look forward to retirement,” Jesse Case, director of the Teamsters food processing division. “Teamster strength is critical for working families in the meatpacking industry.”
The workers secured the agreement following a strike threat at the largest beef processing plant in the U.S. The new contract includes 32% wage increases, more paid time off and expanded retirement benefits.
“We’re the top plant there is, the people who work here are some of the hardest workers there are, and we deserve the best contract,” Connie Hernandez, a member of the Tyson Teamsters negotiating committee. “We finally got it, and that makes me proud to be a Teamster.”
Al Brito, president of Local 577, said this is an important lesson to those in the meatpacking industry.
“This victory is what Texas Teamsters are all about—coming together as one so we can fight for a better life for ourselves and our families,” Brito stated in the release. “Let this be a lesson to everyone else in the meatpacking industry—if you’re not happy with work, it doesn’t have to stay that way. You can win a better future with the Teamsters.”
Members voted June 27 to strike by a 98% margin. The Teamsters represent 3,100 workers in slaughtering and processing. Brito said in a news release Tyson’s CEO makes 535 times that of the median worker.
“This facility is essential to the beef supply chain, but if Tyson’s corporate leadership doesn’t start demonstrating some basic humanity, we will be forced to take action,” Brito said.
According to the June 27 release, the union filed a number of unfair labor practices against Tyson. The Teamsters claim management has harassed union stewards, coerced injured employees into dropping claims, illegally interrogated union members, and falsely told workers at the facility that if they engaged in a ULP strike they would lose their jobs.
“We’re not just fighting for more money,” Keisha Carey, a member of the Tyson Teamsters negotiating committee stated in the June 27 report. “We’re tired of seeing people suffer. We’re tired of seeing people hurting. We’re tired of seeing the elites who run this company have no compassion for the workers who make them rich. We’re ready to strike this company if they don’t give us the deal we deserve.”
Teamsters Local 577 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout North Texas. For more information, go to teamsterslocalunion577.com.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
